How Inert is Single‐Stranded DNA Towards DNA‐Stabilized Silver Nanoclusters? A Case Study

Abstract

AbstractA case study, detailing the effect of different DNA oligomers on a NIR‐emitting DNA‐stabilized silver nanocluster (DNA‐AgNC), is reported. The presence of single‐stranded DNA oligomers was found to adversely affect the chemical stability of (DNA)2[Ag16Cl2]8+ with distinct degrees of destruction depending on the DNA sequence. To increase the chemical stability of the DNA‐AgNC, we implemented two protection strategies. First, hybridization of the bare DNA strands with the corresponding complementary sequences dramatically reduced the destruction of (DNA)2[Ag16Cl2]8+, as demonstrated by the decreased drops in both the absorption and emission spectra. Secondly, saturation of the free DNA oligomers with silver cations left (DNA)2[Ag16Cl2]8+ intact. Our investigation can thus provide an easy‐to‐implement approach to discover DNA sequences that are intrinsically less reactive towards preformed DNA‐AgNCs, and give an idea on how to protect DNA‐AgNCs from bare DNA strands.